Robert Hayes (Angola) and Jim Betts (Ft. Wayne) captured the season opening U.S. Anglers Choice Pro Tournament on the Barbee Chain last weekend with 17.76 pounds.
The winners pocketed $1,126 for the fish they caught on jigs and darters around points. They also had the events biggest bass, a 5.51-pound largemouth that earned them a $220 bonus.
Brian Whitaker and Chip Harrison Warsaw) had five fish weighing 12.50 pounds for second place ($688). Their fish came on jigs on the outside of the weeds in 10 to 16 feet. Clint Gradeless (Huntington) and Lee Pilz (Wawaka) were third ($421) with 10.56 pounds caught on flats close to deep water.
There were 68 fish weighed in for a total weight of 131.38 pounds. The average weight per fish was 1.93 pounds.
The next tournament will be at Lake Tippecanoe May 10th at the Tippy Dance Hall Ramp.